No more guilds for me.I belonged to one i just had to quit.

I joined one last year and it is fantabulous. Besides show and tell they have fantastic classes that are extremely reasonable. Also do a lot of charity quilts. They do seem a little cliquish but I do not let that bother me as I am getting so much from the guild. Membership is high and usually 120+ members at the monthly meeting.

I belong to 2 guilds, one with about 125 members the other with about 30 members. The smaller guild is more to my liking. They quilt together every meeting and someone presents a new item and then they make it. The have an informal day retreat about every six months. It is a very productive meeting. The larger guild has a formal meeting every month and it is a business meeting with a paid speaker for a program. Often the next day is a workshop on the speakers topic. These cost somewhere in the range of $40. There are two retreats a year costing between $140 and $170 for two days. I can buy a lot of material and supplies for that money. We are retired and the fixed income is shrinking by the day. The smaller guild is $18 per year and the larger guild is $30. The smaller guild uses the county fairground buildings for meetings and retreats at $0 cost to the member.

I have decided that this group will be my guild. I also am from Minnesota and tried a guild a few years ago. I didn't like that when I came in, no one greeted me and the guild members just hung out with their friends in small groups till the speaker was on and then continued after the meeting was over. I went 5 times and never did feel like "one of the group", so I just quit going.

I've been a member for one year. I've met lots of people who share my love for fabric and this "hobby" that consumes so much of our time. I've heard and seen some marvelous speakers, I'd never have known about, if I hadn't been at that meeting. I've learned about some new techniques as well. We have "Show and Tell" at every meeting, so it's fun to see what everyone else is making. We have a Quilt Show every two years, where there's over 400 quilts displayed. For me, I'm enjoying this group.

I have been a member of a guild for about five years. I was new to the area so it has been a great way to make new friends. As you know, quilters are wonderful friends.
We have a quilt show every 2 years. It challenges us to improve our skills. I entered my avatar for display only, missed the judging deadline. It may not have had the design qualities of some of the winners, but it hung straight. We have 138 members. Seventy to ninety are at any given meeting. Members can be part of a small bee.
We have nationally known teachers several times a year, to speak and offer workshops.
Each month we can participate in a BOM with a drawing, winner receives all the blocks. Each member is encouraged to make a kids quilt for a local camp for kids affected by cancer. We also make a quilt to donate to a charity for fund raising. The favorite part of the meeting is show and tell.

This sounds alot like me.. When my MIL passed away I slipped in her spot- I Never quilted a day in my life till she passed. We meet once a month and have a pot luck dinner, show n tell and there is absolutely no lacking of encouragement from this group.. I think this group is whats has been keeping me sane these last two years..

I have belonged to my quilting guild for over 20 years. I love being a part of the guild and learning both at our meetings and from other members. There are so many opportunities to get to know new people, to learn and share and be a part of the group.

I have belonged to a local guild for many years. In fact, next year I will be doing my second time at being president. That being said, don't give up on a guild after only going to one meeting. It may be that they have an issue to work out, so just listen and then try another meeting later.
Give the guild a chance. I don't like to hear that someone doesn't think they are a good enough quilter to join a guild. That is nonsense. Guilds are supposed to encourage quilting and help teach.
You may find a few members that you really get along with and start a small off shoot group.
Just don't give up on all guilds.

My guild was my lifeline when I was learning to quilt. We were in a small town and knew everyone so it was so fun and informative. Sew and share was like a monthly quilt show, tidbits of knowledge were always helpful, the doorprize wonderful, and the visiting irreplaceable. Miss it now I have moved to BC

For me it got me started on things I would not have tried. I learned how to do a lot of different things from the director and the friends I made there. For $2o a year or $25 to me it is worth it. We also make quilts of Valor for the boys over seas and then we do work for the homeless and for the needy and for those who were in tornadoes and bad storms who lost everything..They are good if you like to meet new people and do things for others. That is my bag but not everyone is like me Thank God>>>>>

Yes I belong to a guild. I cannot say I love it. The Christmas party is fun. I do not like the monthly meetings. Some of the times we have good short classes, but not always. I have not decided if I will go this next year or not.

Some people belong to guilds that sound very worthwhile. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. I attended meetings for eight months and never felt welcomed there. If I sat at a table alone, no one joined me. If I sat at a table where others were already sitting, no one spoke to me. I liked the speakers, the show and tell, the block of the month, and the challenges, but the unfriendliness drove me out. If you go with the right frame of mind (i.e., not expecting to make any friends), you might like it. And maybe you'll get lucky and find a friendly guild. That just wasn't my experience.

There's another guild in my area, and I might like to give them a try; but it's hard to put myself out there again given the negative experience from before.

When I moved to Oregon years ago it took me a couple of years to hook up with another quilter. She came to my cabin up on the mountain and brought her friend, I sharred with them what I was working on. It was very different from they had been doing, they asked me to give a class. (I had taken 3 classes in San Diego before the move) well I had never given a class, so I started working on it, long story short, I was then asked to start a guild. Long story short in what I did to learn how to get a guild started. I started the guild, it took us 3 years to do our first show. But it was a huge hit. We only had 8 members at the time of our quilt show, and we had many new gals join after the show. I was pres for 3 years and we had VERY informal meetings, lots of show and tell, new tips and tricks at each meeting. Our bussiness part was 5 to ten min. tops the rest of the meeting was fun and sharing. I would so love to have a guild like that here, but I am still looking for a quilter to hook up with. I will keep asking every one I meet if they are a quilter untill I find one! Now would be so happy with just meeting others to sew and have fun with.
Would I join another guild? in a heartbeat!

I just joined one with about 80 members. i was thinking about this very think. I think so far I have gotten more out of this website in just a few weeks.

oops Thing

I have belonged to a few(moved a few times). My first 3 were great, the last one from the area that I just moved from - I am happy to not be apart of. The new quild, I will meet them this coming monday night. I have heard they are active like the first 3 and not clique`. The last one, they need some new blood, which I was 3 years ago......but that isn't all they need. Think of "the deer in the headlights look", most wouldn't volunteer to help assist with activities, but darn sure wanted to participate. I became president, they all (and I) thought this would help, but most evenings I came home very disappointed among atleast 3-4 others I imagine felt the same. I was able to impliment some new activities and programs, but I feel sorry for the 3-4 others that want so very much to make this group work. And thinkin' about it now, maybe I did move them alittle, my sister-in-law will have to let me know in a couple months.

I join for the adult female conservation that doesn't always included my DH, and promote the many activities that most guilds do. I don't mind the meetings, unless they are longer then 45 minutes long. I was the state chair for a national organization, and meetings should not last longer then 45-60 minutes long and should include some service and community activities. On occassion will visit the very most active group and miss them dearly that I belonged to, and my sister JAG has joined them in the last couple years.

So my advice to you..........check them out, even take a few show -n- tells for the first meeting, this will be a real big sign as to how they and you will precive each other. I am one of those people that want to jump right in, but always remember to watch whom feet you might step on. And remember........enjoy yourself and make it educational for all (you and others).

I have been part of three different guilds. I work nights now so that it does not benefit me any more. I loved going to the meetings and seeing everyone's projects, the trading, the classes we took that did not cost too much because of special guild prices. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

This sounds like the guild I belong to here in FL. Officially we have over 300 members, but of course not all come at the same time, especially since much of our population is seasonal.

I prefer smaller groups, too, but found that smaller groups exist in the large group......we always sit with the same circle of friends, chit chat, go to lunch after, etc. Plus there are special interest groups....art quilts, miniatures, EQ, applique....and some of those meet at other times of the week.

This is the first guild I've belonged to, but one one the benefits is free workshops taught by the more experienced quilters. And several times a year we have nationally known quilters/teachers come for workshops and lectures.

You might want to give membership in a guild a try. If you don't like it, try another one, or not. At least you'll know for yourself what's good for you.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Karen

I'm with "Greensleeves", I love the Quilting Guild I belong to. It's at my church and though we are small, we have classes on new subjects on quilting and we work together making quilts to give to the needed; as well we make quilts for ourselves. My suggestion try a small group first; doesn't mean you have to stay with it.

I belong to two small guilds (about forty in each) and get so much from them. Interesting programs, inspiration and good fellowship. I get as much from them as from here, just different.

I belong to a fairly small guild and love it. I have made some wonderful friends and since we have sew Saturdays four times a year, I have had the opportunity to learn from those who have had more experience than me. For me, joining a guild had been a blessing. Marylou

We have a large guild but also many of the girls break off and have a BEE meting once a month. We have about 8 Bees in our Guild. I have one called the Ladybugs and we have 10 people and are opening it up to include 3 more... We meet at each others home and have just decided to meet at a restaurant starting in February. a day out for all of us...

I belong to a guild that has 28 members and we meet the last Thursday of the month we eat have a meeting, then we all help each other with what anyone needs help with. We also have quilting 3 times a week that we can get together and sew and talk. Its about 10 minutes from my house and the membership is only 10.00 a year.

I belong to a guild that is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, 2010. I have been a member off and on for most of that time, and an officer a couple times, and we are around 100 members strong. We have a quilt show every other year, monthly evening meetings with speakers, a yearly retreat, Saturday classes taught by guild members, or out of town speakers for a fee. We have charity quilts, optional blocks each month, a substantial lending library, a yearly challenge, and all levels and ages of quilters. We do welcome men, but discourage children below teen years. I do believe we are responsive to the needs of our memebers, offering classses in current tehniques and by request from members. We have a welcome volunteer to take new people through the meeting and answer questions and have a friendly face to meet and greet. I LOVE show and tell, and have met many very talented quilters. My skills have gone from zero to accomplished so that I am willing to try new techniques. We offer a meeting at a member's home once a month, and two evenings a month at a local library for more informal gatherings.
I agree with previous posters who say you get out of the guild more than you put in, but it does require effort on my part to be active, and to reach out to others. There are always some people who are more outgoing and friendly than others, but most are receptive to one on one chatter. New members who volunteer for Raffle Basket, or library and work with another member learn more and feel more a part of the group.
I LOVE MY GUILD!

I joined a guild recently,usually attend the monthly meetings with SIL. It is a large group and they have a monthly speaker, some nationally known. They also have many small groups but most are full. Just was contacted by someone starting a new small group. She said she had been asked by someone in guild to start another one, so I think they are trying to reach out to people. But, as in any large group, it is hard to get to know others wihtout getting involved in projects,etc. So, my point is, I am giving it a try and hoping it will work out. Should be a good way to meet new people. If all I was able to do is go to a monthly meeting there, I probably wouldn't bother. Hoping for the best!

The guild we have here in my town is very stuffy, they don't have classes often at all and I just didn't feel like it was a good fit for me. I envisioned MORE from a guild - classes, sewing groups, etc.

Soooo... I am actually starting a branch of the Modern Quilt Guild in town. Our first meeting will be in February. It's going to be great - I hope. I plan on organizing all sorts of things - and having members of the guild teach techniques and classes, have a monthly small project make and take, etc. It will be an active group that people will want to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm sure the other guild will not be happy about it but I feel the town is big enough for both of us ;)

I went one time several years ago and I really don't know why I didn't go back. They were working on some charity quilts and I joined in. Since starting to get back into quilting, I am going to start the first of the year. It is not a huge quild and they do a lot of charity work.

See if you can test out a few with some visits before you commit yourself to time and money. Some that I joined were unfriendly and very unworthwhile. The three that I belong to now are absolutely wonderful in every respect, and so are definitely worth the time and money. I think it is a matter of finding a nice niche, where everyone is treated decently.

Our guild has about 120 members with about 50 attending each month. We have a business meeting, some type of program, show and tell, announcements, retreats every so often, classes, several sew days, charity sewing, national teachers (Bonnie Hunter in Jan.). At the meeting during your birthday month, you bring something new or from stash for the raffle table, and tickets are 25 cents. This money helps pay for teachers, supplies, donation to the church for the meeting room, etc. We have a short "ice breaker" every meeting just to get everyone moving and talking to someone they're not familiar with.

We had an auction and raffle this summer to benefit a member with liver cancer and made $23,000!

I enjoy the meetings and most everyone is friendly and giving. I signed up for the challenge committee and am looking forward to meeting with those ladies to see what we can come up with for 2011.

I am a founding member of the local quilt guild. I also meet with 9 other members of the guild in a small group once a month. I love doing both. I think that guilds have a lot to offer. They are always looking for volunteers and ideas. If the local guild is not for you, why not try your state guild or start your own guild.

I love our guild.........we are a small resort town in the mountains.........some members are snow birds in the winter. We have around 70 members, that are so friendly, helpful, etc. We just had our Christmas dinner...about 55 attended........so much fun! We have a quilt show every year on Labor Day weekend........we have 4 small groups who get to gether some every two weeks and some once a month. We have visiting teacher and or lecturers about 6 times a year and sometimes our own members lend their expertise to the rest of us.......

I love my guild. We have so much talent, and we all have a passion for quilting. Our meetings are structured, but we also have workshops and retreats, and lately we've been having some awesome speakers!
The ladies in our guild are great, and I wouldn't trade them for anything!

I tried my local quilt guild, and they were more about business than fun. I see no reason not to include business, just not all business. I agree with 'shequiltd', I joined to have fun making quilts. When they 'drafted' me to help re-write their by-laws, I quit attending. I do keep in touch, but I am not into the whole 'show off' thing. Too political for my tastes. Quilting is what I do to relax, and they took the fun out. I wish them well, but this board is more personal and helpful. God bless you all and Happy Holidays!

They are very well worth it -- first for a selfish reason -- I love the praise and applause when I show a finished project. I get a lot of inspiration from other quilters works.

Second is what I give back to others. One of my forst meetings when I moved to Maine, I showed a huge applique quilt. A lady told me later that I was her inspiration during a very difficult time. I also make quilts of valor with whatever groups I belong to as well as Linus, preemie and McDonald quilts.

I travelled the world meeting quilters through on live quilt guilds.

A group is what you put into it. Give it a try

Mim

I love my QG. I made many friends, and met my two best friends ever, we go to retreats together. But, I have learned so through my guild, and they are so supportive. There is a bit of work involved, like for shows, and volunteering to do things that are necessary to keep the guild functioning. I believe it is more than worth it.

So sad hearing all the bad experiences of guilds.

When I moved 17 years ago, the first place I went in town was to the local quilt shop, and the second was to the quilt guild. I have been a member 15 out of the last 17 years (work conflict for a couple of years) rejoining again this last year. It is something I look forward to each month.
We do have a very active guild, over 150 members, each meeting includes a speaker or program, we have lots of workshops each year, we do charity quilts, there is show and tell, a Christmas party, a wonderful library of books to check out, and more.

I am a part of a small quilt group, and I know through the guild many small groups have started up-usually by someone standing up during show and tell and asking if others would like to have a group...many friendships have started that way amongst guild members.

If you are going to be new to a guild, it can be at first hard to feel like you fit in, but talking to others about their quilts is a good way to start a conversation, working on charity quilts with others is another way, joining a committee also gets you involved. Before you know it you will feel like part of the group.

Like most things Quilt Guilds take time. Time to go to the meetings, time to go to the various workshops and classes and time to enjoy the companionship of other quilters. The Guild I belong to has an annual membership fee. We donate a quilt a year, to a worthy cause of our choice. The guild covers the cost of the material and the membership does the work. Last year's donated quilt earned the gifted group over $4000. I hope to make a sampler quilt out of the different blocks we have used in our donated quilts; as well as techniques I have learned in our many workshops. So, yes, I think Quilt Guilds can be a good thing.

Enjoy the guild I belong to of about 45 members. Each month we have a sewing session on the first Monday of the month and then the third Monday is our meeting. It is structured, but also very down to earth. Our officers are wonderful and spend a lot of time making our guild successful. We have show and tell, a speaker usually with a new project, Secret Sister, a Birthday Club called Strippers (you bring two 2 1/2 inch WOF strips for the girls who have a birthday that month) and socializing before and after the meeting.